What does the X-37B do?
The primary objectives of the X-37B are twofold: reusable spacecraft technology and operating experiments which can be returned to Earth. The Air Force states that this includes testing avionics, flight systems, guidance and navigation, thermal protection, insulation, propulsion, and re-entry systems.
Where is the X-37B?
All X-37B missions to date have launched from Florida’s Space Coast — either Cape Canaveral Space Force Station or NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), which is right next door. But the space plane has landing sites on both sides of the continent.
Can the X-37B carry humans?
LONG BEACH, Calif. — The maker of the X-37B robotic space plane has outlined new plans for the spacecraft and a scaled-up version to support space station cargo deliveries or even carry astronauts into orbit.
Does the U.S. have space ships?
Orion is NASA’s new spacecraft, built to take humans farther into space than they’ve ever gone before. It will carry the crew to space, provide emergency abort capability, sustain the crew and provide a safe return to Earth.
What is the lifespan of the ISS?
Perhaps, like Mir, the ISS will outlive its life expectancy. Each ISS module has a planned lifetime of 10 years; by that reckoning, the entire space station will need replacing by 2020.
What is the X-37B Orbital Vehicle?
NASA’s envisioned Orbital Vehicle was never built, but it served as the inspiration for the space plane that came to be called the X-37B. The X-37B program is now run by the Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, with mission control for orbital flights based at the 3rd Space Experimentation Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado.
When did the X-37B space plane land?
Update for Oct. 27, 2019: The X-37B has landed! The fifth classified Orbital Test Vehicle mission ended with a successful landing on Oct. 27, 2019 . The U.S. Air Force’s unmanned X-37B space plane has flown four clandestine missions to date, carrying secret payloads on long-duration flights in Earth orbit.
What is the X-37B OTV?
The X-37B OTV is an experimental test program to demonstrate technologies for a reliable, reusable, unmanned space test platform for the U.S. Air Force. The U.S. Air Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle 4 landed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida May 7, 2017.
Will secret X-37B space plane use shuttle hangars?
“NASA: Secret X-37B space plane will use shuttle hangars”. Florida Today. Retrieved 9 October 2014. ^ a b c d e f g “Fact Sheet: X-37 Orbital Test Vehicle”. U.S. Air Force. 21 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 June 2014. ^ Smith-Strickland, Kiona (27 May 2015). “Now We Know at Least Two Payloads on the X-37B”. Air & Space/Smithsonian.